Electrical poer track and shoe

ABSTRACT

A track for wall mounting comprises two plane-parallel conductors extending the length of the track. A shoe for engagement with the track embodies a narrow elongated extension having pickup contacts at opposite ends thereof adapted for engagement with the track conductors upon rotation of the extension after fitting into the track. A spring-urged locking plate engages the track opening to prevent further rotation of the contact extension. The track enclosure and the locking plate may be conductors to provide a third line for grounded systems.

United States Patent (72] Inventor Joel A. Meltur 3398 Fairway Road.Oceanside, N.Y. 11572 [2|] Appl. No. 846,903

[22] Filed Aug. 1, 1969 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [54] ELECTRICAL POERTRACK AND SHOE /11/11/1/1/1/11. W EH '8 mtv'llllklyllllllllfi 3,061,81010/1962 McCormick 339/22 R 3,089,042 5/1963 Hickey et 31.... 307/1473,337,697 8/1967 Martin et al. 191/23 3,503,032 3/1970 Routh et al.339/14 R FOREIGN PATENTS 1,288,609 2/1962 France 339/14 R PrimaryExaminer-Ernest R. Purser Assistant ExnminerRobert A. HaferAttorney-Stoll and Stoll ABSTRACT: A track for wall mounting comprisestwo planeparallel conductors extending the length of the track. A shoefor engagement with the track embodies a narrow elongated extensionhaving pickup contacts at opposite ends thereof adapted for engagementwith the track conductors upon rotation of the extension after fittinginto the track. A spring-urged locking plate engages the" track openingto prevent further rotation of the contact extension. The trackenclosure and the locking plate may be conductors to provide a thirdline for grounded systems.

PATENTED m2? I97! SHEET 1 I}? 3 IIIIIIIII/I/ INVENTOR. JACK A MELTZER BY$3M A TTORI E YS PATENTEBJULZYIBII 3596.226

1N VENTOR. JACK A. NELTZER BY W J S A TTOlE/VEYS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Electrical power distribution tracksand accessory pickup shoes.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art abounds with variousdevices to enable a power supply to be offered in an elongated dimensionrather than at a single point as is the case with a common wall outlet.Some devices involve a plurality of outlets placed in side-bysiderelation, others involve a wire having insulation soft enough to bepunctured at any location. Another device is shown by Glass U.S. Pat.No. 2,981,917: a tubular member has a slot for access to live contacts.

Summary of the Invention A flat track adapted for wall mounting includesa decorative outside covering which is preferably a conductor and twoelongated conductors being plane-parallel and oppositely disposed aboutan opening in the track. Suitable insulation is provided between theconductors and the decorative exterior of the track.

Connection between the conductors and a power supply is provided by anend fitting having tongues which slide securely between the trackcovering and the contact insulation and which have extended spring shoesfor contact with the conductors. Common screw terminals are provided inthe end fitting for connection to a power supply wire.

An accessory pickup shoe utilizes an elongated extension having areduced lateral dimension to fit within the track opening and oppositepickup contacts adapted to engage the track conductors upon 90 rotationof the accessory shoe. A locking plate having raised flanges engages thetrack and prevents further rotation of the accessory shoe except uponwithdrawal of the plate from the track against a spring. A threadedcollar may lock against the locking plate to prevent such withdrawal.

Brief Description of the Drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thepower track of the present invention with two accessory pickup shoesengaged therewith. The form of the accessories being lamps.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an accessory pickup shoe engaged with the powertrack which is shown in cross section.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the power track and lamp accessoryshoe shown in position for engagement into the track. The locking plateand collar are retracted.

F IG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of the power track and end fitting,partially cut away, with an accessory shoe in cross section shownmounted on the track.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the power track astaken across line 6-6 of F10. 3.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but showing the accessoryshoe locked into the power track.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top view of the power track with an outletaccessory shoe mounted thereon.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 9-9 of FIG. 8 andshowing a plug in the outlet.

FIG. 10 is a view of the outlet accessory and track of FIG. 9 showingthe locking collar retracted and the contact extension in full view.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to that of FIG. 10 but showing the accessoryshoe rotated 90 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view across line 12-12 ofFIG. 8 showing the locking collar retracted.

FIG. 13 is a similar view to that of FIG. 5 but showing a three wireconnection with a three line accessory outlet shown in full view.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 14-14 of FIG. 13showing in phantom the position of an endcap.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 15-15 of FIG. 13with a three conductor plug.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 16-16 of FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary crosssectional view similar in position to thatof FIG. 12 and showing indetail the third conductor connections. I I v 11 Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Referring to thedrawing, the present invention comprises a power track 10 for use withaccessory pickup shoes 12 of varying descriptions. A lamp havingadjustable swivel mounts 14 is a prime example. Power track 10 comprisesan elongated outer member 16 having a flatback 16a for ease of placementagainst a wall or ceiling surface and a front portion 16b comprising aflat surface having a central longitudinal opening 16c therein. Runningwithin and longitudinally of power track 10 are two conductors 18located oppositely of opening 16c and having their respective planesparallel to each other in face-toface relation. Situated betweenconductors 18 and outer member 16 is an insulating sleeve 20 which alsocovers the bottom portion 16a of the track.

An end fitting 22 has tongues 24 adapted to slide firmly within powertrack 10 between outer member 16 and insulating sleeve 20 for securejoining of the end fitting to the power track. Two screw terminals 25adapted to connect a power supply cord 26 join to spring contacts 28,each of which engages a conductor 18. Conductors 18 are accordinglyconnected to a power supply. End fitting 22 may be covered withdecorative and insulating end covers 30 having snap fasteners 32 adaptedto engage a hole 33 provided for the purpose in the end fitting.

Accessory shoe 12 comprises a central core 40 having a bottom extension42 of elongated dimension sufficient when turned parallel to trackopening 160 to be inserted therein and when rotated axially of core 40sufficient to engage conductors 18 with contacts 44 provided for thepurpose. Around core 40 is a locking plate 46 which is spring-urgedtoward'extension 42. Locking plate 46 is provided with central flangesor enlargements 48 adapted to enter track opening and lock therein toprevent rotation of accessory shoe 12 relative to the power track unlessand until locking plate 46 is withdrawn longitudinally of core 40 awayfrom the power track against the urging of spring 50.

A threaded collar 52 is provided on core 40 to engage locking plate 46and prevent retraction thereof as desired. Threaded collar 52 may beknurled for a nonslip outer surface. Wires run through core 40 fromcontacts 44 to whatever accessory may be desired. A first type ofaccessory shown in FIGS. l-3 is a lamp and the core wires run directlyto the bulb socket. In a second accessory shown in FIGS. 8-12 an outlet60 is connected to contacts 44 by wires or conducting bars. In the caseof a three wire outlet 62 shown in FIGS. 13-17 a third connection froman outlet contact 64 is provided through locking plate 46 and on outermember 16, both of which are conductors. The connection between theoutlet contact 64 and locking plate 46 may be a wire 66 for flexibility.One tongue 24a of a modified end fitting 22a has a side conductor 68which fits against outer member 16 and extends to a third screw terminal25a for connection to the third wire of power cord 26a. This thirdconductor is usually a ground and it is therefore immaterial thatexposed outer member 16 is included as a conducting portion.

Operation of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Operation of thepresent invention is simple. Power track 10 may be placed on anysurface, in any position, horizontal or vertical. It will be noted thatthere is no practical length limit of power track 10 and runs of 10 or15 feet or more either in one piece or of several shorter lengths oftrack appropriately ductors 18 buried as much as possible for safety'ssake.

plate 46 and enlargements 48 into locking engagement with the powertrack. Threaded collar 52 is tightened against locking plate-46 tosecure the shoe to the power track.

Opening 16c should be made as small as possible and con- Any suitableaccessory may be used with the invention. For

example, the great power carrying capacity of conductors 18 makes theuse of electrical heater accessories feasible.

What I claim is:

1. An electric power supplying appliance comprising:

a. a power track adapted to be mounted on a surface, said power trackbeing elongated and having a flat rear surface and a front surfacedefining a longitudinal opening;

b. a plurality of extended conductors in said power track, saidconductors being insulated from said power track and being accessiblethrough said elongated opening; and

c. an accessory shoe, said accessory shoe being adapted for mechanicalsecurement to said power track and electrical connection to saidconductors, said accessory shoe comprising:

i. a core member;

ii. an extension from said core member, said extension being adapted tofit into said opening and, upon rotation, electrically engage saidconductors;

iii. a locking plate having a raised flange adapted upon rotation toengage said opening and lock said accessory shoe against furtherrotation;

iv. said locking collar being spring-urged toward said power track; and

v. a threaded locking collar for engaging said locking plate againstmovement away from said power track and thereby to prevent disengagementof said flange from said opening. 2. An electric power supplyingappliance in accordance with claim 1, additionally comprising:

and end fitting for said power track, said end fitting being providedwith tongue extensions'for sliding into grooves provided in said powertrack, said end fitting providing connecting means between saidconductors and a power supply cord. 3. An electric power supplyingappliance in accordance with claim 2, wherein: I

said connecting means comprises a spring contact adapted to engage oneof said conductors and electrically extending to a terminal to which apower supply wire is connected and a second spring connector forengaging the other of said conductors and electrically extending toanother terminal for connection to a second wire of a power supply. 4.An electric power supplying appliance in accordance with claim 3,wherein:

said power track is electrically conductive and is in electricalconnection with a third wire of a power supply by means of a contact barin sliding contact with said power track and connecting to a thirdterminal to which the third wire is fastened. 5. An electric powersupplying appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said locking plate is electrically conductive and in electrical contactwith said power track, said locking plate being electrically connectedto a third accessory shoe conductor. 6. An electric power supplyingappliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said conductors are relatively flat bars disposed oppositely ofsaidopening in plane-parallel relation.

2. An electric power supplying appliance in accordance with claim 1, additionally comprising: and end fitting for said power track, said end fitting being provided with tongue extensions for sliding into grooves provided in said power track, said end fitting providing connecting means between said conductors and a power supply cord.
 3. An electric power supplying appliance in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said connecting means comprises a spring contact adapted to engage one of said conductors and electrically extending to a terminal to which a power supply wire is connected and a second spring connector for engaging the other of said conductors and electrically extending to another terminal for connection to a second wire of a power supply.
 4. An electric power supplying appliance in accordance with claim 3, wherein: said power track is electrically conductive and is in electrical connection with a third wire of a power supply by means of a contact bar in sliding contact with said power track and connecting to a third terminal to which the third wire is fastened.
 5. An electric power suppLying appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said locking plate is electrically conductive and in electrical contact with said power track, said locking plate being electrically connected to a third accessory shoe conductor.
 6. An electric power supplying appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said conductors are relatively flat bars disposed oppositely of said opening in plane-parallel relation. 